Marine logistics firms and fund managers join corporate investment pitches; 106.2 billion won 'B-Scaleup Venture Fund' formally launched

A promotional image for the third Bugi-Tech Investment Show [Busan city government]
A promotional image for the third Bugi-Tech Investment Show [Busan city government]

Busan city held the "2026 Third Bugi-Tech Investment Show" Friday afternoon at Busan Eurasia Platform. Bugi-Tech is a city-run investment matching program that connects local and Greater Seoul investors with promising regional companies to expand investment opportunities and support follow-on funding.

About 70 people attended, including Busan Deputy Mayor for Future Innovation Oh Seok-geun, managers of city-backed funds, investors from the Greater Seoul area, and local company representatives. The event featured investor relations presentations by 23 participating organizations — 10 companies in the marine and logistics sectors, fund managers of city-established funds, and ocean-specialized fund managers — to explore concrete investment prospects.

The 16 companies selected through an open application process received one-on-one consultations on investment, open innovation strategy, and technology transfer, with advisory organizations matched to each firm based on a prior needs survey.

Investment consultations were provided by Inlight Ventures and Zero One Ventures; open innovation consultations by Samsung Heavy Industries, HD Hyundai Samho, HD Hyundai Heavy, Amorepacific and LX Ventures; and marine technology transfer consultations by Korea Maritime and Ocean University.

The event also featured the formal launch of the "Inlight B-Scaleup Venture Fund" and a ceremony celebrating local companies' fundraising achievements. Focused primarily on scale-up investment, the Inlight B-Scaleup Venture Fund is the largest fund Busan city has ever established, at 106.2 billion won ($79.4 million), and is a sub-fund of the "Busan Innovation Scaleup Venture Fund" formed in 2025.

The city also held a ceremony to celebrate Haeyangdrone Technology Co., a local company that secured 14.6 billion won in investment through a Series A round this year.

Since its launch in September 2025, the Bugi-Tech Investment Show has drawn 110 companies and 105 investors, resulting in 9 billion won in investment deals for four companies. Over the past two years, the city has established more than 500 billion won in funds — including the "Busan Future Growth Venture Fund" and the "Busan Innovation Scaleup Venture Fund" — to strengthen the local investment ecosystem.

"The Bugi-Tech Investment Show is a practical channel that directly connects local companies with investors," Deputy Mayor Oh said. "We will expand opportunities for local companies and investors to meet on a regular basis and build an environment where local firms can receive investment and grow right here in Busan."


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com